Mecca Masjid case: Judge's resignation takes all by surprise

Special Judge K Ravinder Reddy's resignation soon after the acquittal of the five accused in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case has surprised one and all. Many theories are making the rounds about the motive behind his sudden decision when he was about to retire in June this year.

Though the judge has mentioned "personal reasons" the main factor behind his decision, DNA has learnt that the Registrar of Vigilance had received a complaint against him in December 2017. The complaint related to a bail case he was presiding over.

The judge is understood to have mentioned in his letter to the Acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh Ramesh Ranganathan of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad that his resignation has nothing to do with the Mecca Masjid judgment. However, those who have worked closely with him, say that he was "under pressure" which could have affected him.

A Hyderabad based lawyer told DNA that Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was also investigating three others judges including judge Radha Krishna, who was from judge Reddy's cadre. "The ACB arrested judge Krishna and he is currently in police custody," he added.

Advocate Khaja Aijazuddin - who has appeared before Judge Reddy several times, suggests the acquittal of the five accused was a big blow. "Everybody is aware that the five accused were close to the ruling party at the Centre. It was the failure of the NIA to bring home the case. Of the more than 200 witnesses, 64 turned hostile," Aijazuddin said. "These circumstances will conclude that judge failed to discharge his duty due to political pressures or reasons best known to him which is contrary to rule of law," he added.